Figure 1.--This cabinet portrait shows two American boys from Chicago on period tricycles. The portrait was undated, but would have been taken about 1890-95. The boys are unidentified, but look to be 2-4 years old. They wear sailor caps, Fauntleroy blouses, knee pants, and dark long stokings. The trikes were a studio prop.

We notice both bikes and trikes in the the United States during the late-19th century. We are not sure when they first appared. The trike appeared after bikes and were only for younger boys. A good example of an early trike is an unidentified boy in 1881. This is the earliest definitely dated American trike we have found to date. Almost all of the early trike images were studio portraits. The studios had trikes as props for photographing children. As family snsapshots were not yet common, we do not know how common they were. We suspect that they were an item only common in fairly affluent families. Early trikes had metal wheels which made for rather bumpy rides. They of course in the 20th century became a standard item for younger American children, especially among the boys. We are not entirely sure what they were called at first, but notice Sears using the term Velocipede in a 1919 catalog. Several companies manufactured trikes, including American National, Radio Flyer, Schwin, and many others. I remember the trike I got in 1947, I think for my 5th birthday, It was quite a gift as items made wih metal and rubber so soon after World War II were still difficult to get. I road it everywhere, including into an irrigation ditch. Trikes like bikes were always of metal consruction until about the 1970s when plastic trikes appeared.

Chronology

We notice both bikes and trikes in the the United States during the late-19th century. We are not sure yet just when they first appared. The trike appeared after bikes and were only for younger boys. A good example of an early trike is an unidentified boy in 1881. This is the earliest definitely dated American trike we have found to date. Almost all of the early trike images were studio portraits. And the children were all dressed up for the portrait. The studios had trikes as props for photographing children. The boys here are a good example (figure 1). As family snsapshots were not yet common, we do not know how common they actually were. We suspect that in the 19th century that they were an item only common in fairly affluent families. They of course in the 20th century became a standard item for younger American children, especially among the boys. This is clear from the photographic record. With the turn-of-the 20th century, we suddenly have family snapshots in large numbers. And we see strikes becoming a staple for pre-school American boys. At first we see them mostly with boys from well-to-do or at least confortable middle-class families, but with increasing prosperity we see most families able to afoird trikes for their children.

Construction

Early trikes had metal wheels which made for rather bumpy rides. Trikes like bikes were always of metal consruction until about the 1970s when plastic trikes appeared. The Big Wheel trike appeared and they seemed to have really appealed to boys (late-1960s).

Terminology

We are not entirely sure what they were called at first, but notice Sears using the term Velocipede in a 1919 catalog.

Manufacturers

Several companies manufactured trikes, including American National, Radio Flyer, Schwin, and many others. American National was formed as a holding company for Toledo Metal Wheel, National Wheel and American Wheel (1925). The company acquired Gendron Wheel Company (1927). They produced tricycles under the names of American-National, Toledo, Gendron, Pioneer, Skippy, Express, Reliance, Hi-Speed, Hi-Way, Speed King, Blue Streak, Sampson, American, and Streamline. Each company had their own separate product line and catalogs.

Popularity

I remember the trike I got in 1947, I think for my 5th birthdsy, It was quite a gift as items made with metal and rubber so soon after World War II were still difficult to get. I rode it everywhere, including into an irrigation ditch. It was by far my favorite possession. I recall in clearly even today. I don't recall any other toy from my early life, except for my teddy. I think that was the general trend for much of the 20th century, especially for boys. Girls less so. I am not sure about 21st century kids. Perhaps readers can offer some insights here.

Created: 8:26 PM 3/11/2009
Last updated: 1:35 PM 6/7/2018